throttle/idle cables
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Cruiser
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throttle/idle cables
hey, i've got what might be a dumb question. i know harleys have 2 throttle cables, the throttle and the idle. i just bought my bike not long ago and it only has one, i'm assuming the idle cable is gone. it runs and drives fine. is this normal? do i need an idle cable? or if its running fine does that mean the previous owner did something to the carb or whatever making the idle cable not needed? thanks for the help. '99 night train btw.
Road Captain
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RE: throttle/idle cables
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Northern California
RE: throttle/idle cables
Don't know what carb or what was done, but you likely have an idle screw looking right at you on the right side of the carb. This should suffice for idle speed adjustments.
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RE: throttle/idle cables
ORIGINAL: georgiabiker
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
yeah, but when i let go of the throttle it snaps back no problem.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
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RE: throttle/idle cables
The spring on the carb will snap the throttle closed just fine. But if the spring breaks or something jams up, and the throttle sticks you panic and twist the throttle back to throttle it down, the throttle cable at the carb may just flex and not close the throttle. For years bikes ran without the idle cable and run away bikes were a possiblity, but I doubt it happend very often. Run it that way, but remember where your kill switch is.
ORIGINAL: WaterBuffalo
yeah, but when i let go of the throttle it snaps back no problem.
ORIGINAL: georgiabiker
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
yeah, but when i let go of the throttle it snaps back no problem.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: San Diego, CA
RE: throttle/idle cables
You are right, it will snap back. The return on the carb is spring assisted. I also removed the push, idle cable on my last bike just to get rid of that extra cable. It's not necessary. But, I suppose it might help push the butterfly on the carb closed if BOTH the spring on carb (hard to believe) and the throttle cable broke at the same time. I would think you would win the lottery before that happened. And, if it did, just pull the clutch in and turn off the bike. Some folks say that the return cable helps keep tension on the throttle tube, but I'm not buying that one. So, you can take all of this with a grain of salt, but me thinks you are fine with that single cable. The only reason I can think that would be of benefit to you having both cables is if your throttle cable broke - you could take that idle cable and move it over to the throttle cable in a jam.
later.
later.
ORIGINAL: WaterBuffalo
yeah, but when i let go of the throttle it snaps back no problem.
ORIGINAL: georgiabiker
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
I want to say it is a Federal Law requiring all manufactured bikes after some date to have a idle (push) cable to ensure if the throttle cable sticks, the idle cable will push the throttle closed and reduces the risk of a run away bike with a stuck throttle. It should run fine without it, but it is up to you to decide if your feel okay enough to run without it.
yeah, but when i let go of the throttle it snaps back no problem.
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